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ΓÇÿFirefighter' tries to put out the fire
Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, held meetings with the President, Prime Minister, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan on May 16 to discuss the situation arising out of the May 2, direct action by the U.S. Navy SEALs killing Osama Bin Laden (OBL) in the town of Abbottabad. The ¿firefighter– lived up to his reputation of keeping tempers controlled at both the ends. He gave a stern message to Pakistan that Congress was scrutinizing its ties with Pakistan and that the road ahead would be defined by actions rather than words. At the same time he assured Pakistan that the Kerry-Lugar-Berman assistance would not be jeopardized, and that any future action against a high-value target would be coordinated with Pakistan. It is important to press the 'reset button' in Pak-U.S. relations. This is how Senator Kerry summed up the efforts of rejuvenating Pak-U.S. relations. Senator Kerry went out of the way to give his personal guarantee to the Pakistani leadership against any perceived U.S. designs on Pakistan nuclear installations by saying rather dramatically that he was willing to write this with his blood. He also cautioned the Pakistanis against the growing extremist influences in the country by invoking the vision of the founding father of this country. It is up to the people of Pakistan to decide whether they want to have a country that is a terrorist haven or a tolerant democracy as envisaged by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Senator Kerrry said. Kerry is mindful of the centrality of the Pak-U.S. relationship for the long-term strategic objectives of the U.S. in the region. Even before landing in Islamabad, during a briefing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he said, 'Going forward, we have to act thoughtfully and, no matter what, we have to remember the big picture, the larger strategic interest, and the full nature of this relationship with Pakistan. We should not rush into a situation that hurts our interests.' Kerry...
The Consensus Parliamentary Resolution on the Abbottabad Operation
Imtiaz Gul An historic eleven hour-long in-camera session of the two houses of Pakistan parliament resulted in a consensus 'Resolution on Unilateral U.S. Forces Action in Abbottabad on 2nd May 2011." The session had begun in the afternoon on May 13, and continued into the wee hours of May 14, 2011. For the first time, Pakistan military top-brass¶including the army, air force, and naval chiefs¶sat by, while the head of the mighty Inter-Services– Intelligence (ISI) spoke to explain how and why the entire military establishment was ¿caught napping– when four U.S. helicopters flew into the Pakistani territory, without informing the government, raided a compound in Abbottabad to kill Osama bin Laden, and fly back unchallenged with the dead body of the world most wanted person. This 'unauthorized incursion' kicked up a storm and eventually led to the in-camera session for the 442 members of the parliament. After a marathon presentation and question-answer session, and hectic consultations, all members agreed on a resolution which, inter alia, called upon the government to appoint an independent commission on the Abbottabad operation, fix responsibility, and recommend necessary measures to ensure that such an incident does not recur in the future. It was one of those rare occasions of consensus not only among all the parliamentarians but also the political leadership and the civil-military decision-making establishment. The parliament demanded in unison that the government 'revisit and review its terms of engagement with the United States, which through its 'unilateral action' in Abbottabad violated Pakistan's sovereignty. It also decried the CIA-led drone attacks, terming them at variance with the 'principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and humanitarian norms' and said that they be halted forthwith, 'failing which the Government will be constrained to consider taking necessary steps, including withdrawal of transit facility allowed to...
U.S. cannot afford to ditch Pakistan
Aarish U. Khan, Sr. Research Fellow The OBL (Osama Bin Laden) episode has unleashed a new dynamic within the United States, with some Congressmen demanding that the Obama administration review its alliance with Pakistan. Three Republican Representatives have already moved the 'Pakistan Foreign Aid Accountability' bill in the House of Representatives to condition the U.S. assistance to Pakistan with a certification by the president that Pakistan did not have any information about Osama bin Laden whereabouts.[1] The bill, if passed by the Congress, could jeopardize $ 3 billion assistance already appropriated by the Congress for the current fiscal year.[2] Disclosures about President Obama insistence on the assault force to be large enough to fight its way out of Pakistan if confronted by hostile local police officers and troops have not helped Pakistan cause either.[3] Worry is already creeping up the Pakistani decision-making circles. Any hindrance in the implementation of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act, that envisages annual $ 1.5 billion assistance to Pakistan for five years would exacerbate the cash-starved Pakistani economy, besides aggravating the fiscal deficit for the coming fiscal year. It could adversely impact infrastructure development projects like the hydro-power and water-reservoir projects of Gomal Zam or Satpara Dams in the north-west and far north of Pakistan, respectively.[4] The shocking revelation of the presence of OBL in the backyard of the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad seems to have blocked the vision of several Congressmen from seeing beyond this crisis. This also gets reflected in several hostile statements by influential senators like Carl Levin and Joseph Lieberman. Certain senior senators, however, are calling for a more informed and dispassionate decision on the introduced bill. Key Republican senators, Lindsey Graham and John McCain have voiced their concerns about the bill. Senator John Kerry, however, remains the greatest...
Sunni Ittehad Council: The Strengths and Limitations of Barelvi Activism against Terrorism
Several Barelvi leaders joined hands for an alliance, the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), in May 2009 to work and guard against religious extremism and terrorism. The move seemed to be influenced by a gradual escalation of attacks on shrines across Pakistan since late 2006, as well as the on the Barelvi (Sufi) community that venerates these places. SIC has been able to achieve some successes but in the socio-political maize of Pakistan, this alliance, too, is hamstrung by limitations. Report
Pakistan’s Withering Sovereignty
Finally, some official version of the Abbottabad operation¶by the U.S. Navy SEALs flying from Afghanistan that killed Osama Bin Laden¶has emerged from Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The May 3 press release, though a much-awaited effort in the right direction on the part of the government, highlights some serious contradictions in our engagement with the U.S. as well as flaws of our intelligence and security apparatus. The MFA press release categorically denies any prior notice to Pakistani civilian or military leadership on the raid. President Zardari had earlier admitted that it was not a joint operation, while the U.S. officials acknowledge it as well. In its statement, the MFA argues that the U.S. helicopters took advantage of the mountainous terrain, sophisticated technology, and advanced ¿nap the earth– flying techniques to avoid detection by Pakistan radar system. Even though it hastens to add that an analogy of this civilian area should not be made with security installations, it would hardly convince anyone because this civilian area is within the military cantonment and only a couple of miles away from Pakistan only training school for army officers. The penetration of a foreign army so deep into Pakistani territory undetected (for whatever purpose) casts serious doubts over the capabilities of its security apparatus to defend its citizens, or even key defense installations. This could provide a license for similar attacks against other perceived high-value targets by the U.S. or even India. The Indian Ministry for External Affairs has already issued a statement saying, 'The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighborhood. The struggle must continue unabated.' It was followed by another statement by the Indian Air Chief, P.V. Naik, who has claimed that India has the capability to conduct similar attacks against terrorist...
Pakistan's Withering Sovereignty
Finally, some official version of the Abbottabad operation¶by the U.S. Navy SEALs flying from Afghanistan that killed Osama Bin Laden¶has emerged from Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The May 3 press release, though a much-awaited effort in the right direction on the part of the government, highlights some serious contradictions in our engagement with the U.S. as well as flaws of our intelligence and security apparatus. The MFA press release categorically denies any prior notice to Pakistani civilian or military leadership on the raid. President Zardari had earlier admitted that it was not a joint operation, while the U.S. officials acknowledge it as well. In its statement, the MFA argues that the U.S. helicopters took advantage of the mountainous terrain, sophisticated technology, and advanced ¿nap the earth– flying techniques to avoid detection by Pakistan radar system. Even though it hastens to add that an analogy of this civilian area should not be made with security installations, it would hardly convince anyone because this civilian area is within the military cantonment and only a couple of miles away from Pakistan only training school for army officers. The penetration of a foreign army so deep into Pakistani territory undetected (for whatever purpose) casts serious doubts over the capabilities of its security apparatus to defend its citizens, or even key defense installations. This could provide a license for similar attacks against other perceived high-value targets by the U.S. or even India. The Indian Ministry for External Affairs has already issued a statement saying, 'The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighborhood. The struggle must continue unabated.' It was followed by another statement by the Indian Air Chief, P.V. Naik, who has claimed that India has the capability to conduct similar attacks against terrorist...
Pakistan's Withering Sovereignty
Finally, some official version of the Abbottabad operation¶by the U.S. Navy SEALs flying from Afghanistan that killed Osama Bin Laden¶has emerged from Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The May 3 press release, though a much-awaited effort in the right direction on the part of the government, highlights some serious contradictions in our engagement with the U.S. as well as flaws of our intelligence and security apparatus. The MFA press release categorically denies any prior notice to Pakistani civilian or military leadership on the raid. President Zardari had earlier admitted that it was not a joint operation, while the U.S. officials acknowledge it as well. In its statement, the MFA argues that the U.S. helicopters took advantage of the mountainous terrain, sophisticated technology, and advanced ¿nap the earth– flying techniques to avoid detection by Pakistan radar system. Even though it hastens to add that an analogy of this civilian area should not be made with security installations, it would hardly convince anyone because this civilian area is within the military cantonment and only a couple of miles away from Pakistan only training school for army officers. The penetration of a foreign army so deep into Pakistani territory undetected (for whatever purpose) casts serious doubts over the capabilities of its security apparatus to defend its citizens, or even key defense installations. This could provide a license for similar attacks against other perceived high-value targets by the U.S. or even India. The Indian Ministry for External Affairs has already issued a statement saying, 'The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighborhood. The struggle must continue unabated.' It was followed by another statement by the Indian Air Chief, P.V. Naik, who has claimed that India has the capability to conduct similar attacks against terrorist...
Changing Shape of Pak-Turk Ties
Amidst the fast occurring developments in the context of hammering out a political and diplomatic solution for the Afghan conflict these days, Pakistan and Turkey have emerged as main actors. A regional connectivity seems to be underway with Turkey in the leading role to facilitate a dialogue between the Taliban and the United States and help Pakistan and Afghanistan build a relationship of trust. The United States has perhaps given heed to independent security experts– calls that the Afghan issue be left on the Afghans to resolve it in consultation with the most concerned regional powers with little interference by the foreign forces. Besides giving a boost to the bilateral cooperation, President Asif Zardari, during his April 11-14 visit to Turkey, had the agenda of discussing Afghan issue with the Turkish leadership. The subsequent trip of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and ISI [Inter Services Intelligence] Chief Lt. General Ahmed Shuja Pasha to Afghanistan on April 16 suggests that regional powers have been given a role to help bring the ongoing war in Afghanistan to an end in pursuance of the US plan to start withdrawal of its troops from July this year and hand over security of the country to the local forces by 2014. Turkish President Abdullah Gul and President Zardari pledged to support any initiatives to stabilize the conflict-torn Afghanistan, including efforts for dialogue with the Taliban. '2011 is a very critical year for Afghanistan, as the foreign troops will begin to withdraw. We are using all our capabilities to secure Afghanistan unity and integrity', Gul told reporters at the joint press conference after the two leaders– talks in Ankara. To a question about Pakistan role in the current peace initiatives for Afghanistan, 'President Zardari said, 'Pakistan believes in a peaceful transition and dialogue in Afghanistan. We will be facilitators to any format that leads to peace…Whatever needs to be...
Tense Military Commanders Meet
The two hour meeting between the Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and Admiral Mike Mullen on Wednesday, was extremely tense. Both military commanders had their demands and agendas and neither got any from the other - at least for the time being. Mullen wanted a commitment for immediate action against the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan. Gen. Kayani wanted a US commitment for immediate halt to the expanding security role of India in Afghanistan. None gave the commitment, so the meeting ended on a bitter note. Mullen then met with Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff, Gen. Khalid Shameem Wynne. The few lines press release from the US embassy also underscore that Kayani refused to give out any statement. The press release does not contain a single word about the content of the meeting, meaning thereby that it was bitter and inconclusive. Tensions between the US and Pakistan seem to be rising in coming days because of the blind and blatant US demands for action against all groups that the Americans believe are killing American soldiers in Afghanistan. More drama to unfold in the short run, it appears!
Swat Neglected after Earthquake, War and Floods
The construction of road for the small village of Jarray near Madyan is a telling comment on the perfect illustration of slow political and bureaucraticresponse to the devastation that the floods caused last year; comprising about 120, if not more, households with very small farming plots, the entire theraging Kunhar river swept it altogether in early August, including the road that connects Madyan and Mingora with Bahrain and Kalaam. The flood waters receded within a month or so but the construction work ´ cutting of the hill ´ began a month ago. That too with just two excavators atwork. 'Are there only two machines available in Pakistan,' quipped the taxi driver Shah Zaman, complaining of the criminal delay in reconstruction work as wellas the official and political apathy towards the Swat-Kohistan region comprising five five Union Councils ´ Bahrain, Mankial, Balakot, Kalam, Utror. Zaman uttered these cursing words as we drove through the upper and largely drier part of the Kunhar River. The mainstream nearby was, on April 18th,already gushing following heavy rains the night before. Coupled with the snow-melt, the mainstream would inundate the smaller, still dry part of the river-bed and thus probably block the only passage between Madyan and Bahrain. On the face of it, nothing but the official apathy and tedious procedures are responsible for this snail-paced reconstruction, something, say locals, thatshould have happened last year immediately after floods. The road from Bahrain to Kalaam ´ hardly 35 kilometres - offers a similar is story. Ironically, the total stretch that needs immediate reconstruction and repair between Madyan and Bahrain is not more than three kilometers; what commentdoes the authorities deserve when they cannot restore key links not more than three kilometres collectively even after over eight months. The urgent need for reconstruction of the vital link between Madyan and Kalam also emerged as the primary issue at a meeting of over 100...
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.